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Bonnie Catto, A Classic Renaissance Woman

Cellist? Golfer? Classics Professor? Which one best articulates Bonnie Catto, PhD, Professor of Classics? Well why not all! Dr. Catto is quite well- rounded when it comes down to it. For years, she has been dedicated to teaching, golfing, and playing the cello. With so much going on in her life one has to wonder when she gets a moment just to sit, but without all the action she would not be who she is today. Over the years, Dr. Catto has broadened her experiences as an athlete, playing with some now famous athletes, and as a musician, working with symphonies around Massachusetts and beyond.

Bonnie's love of music came from her family. Her mother is a professional pianist and her sister is a professional singer, so it seems natural that Bonnie would be musically inclined. She has played the cello with her mother and sister many times while performing for those who are under-served, in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. However, along with these free concerts, she has played in many symphonies around MA. She currently plays with the Thayer Symphony in Fitchburg, and sometimes with the Assumption College Chorale. Bonnie has also been able to showcase her talents through guest appearances, such as on the album “The Other Side of the Mountain” by Kevin Roth, Folkways Records.

Along with her musical talents, Bonnie is also quite talented when it comes to the greens, golf greens that is. Over the years, she has played in various Amateur and Mid-Amateur events, with her husband who is also a  avid golfer. In 2002 and 2004, Bonnie and her husband won The Sheeran Trophy, which is the MA Husband-Wife Championship event. Besides the many championships that Bonnie has won, she is most proud of her Second Place in the Keyes Cup in 1997, where she shot a course record of 67 (five under par) in the second round!  In the same year she also qualified as a local medalist for the U.S. Women's Public Links Championship.

Bonnie considers cello and golf to be two of her three greatest achievements. The third is in the classroom as a Classics Professor. She has always been interested in teaching, and her love for classics developed when she took a mythology course in 7th grade, which led her to Latin and then the choice to pursue the language and culture further. Bonnie said, “I feel that the past is relevant to the future and this is what makes the field so interesting.” She loves to teach her students all about the culture and what it has to offer. She has also developed the Classics Club here at Assumption. It is open to all students, and involves culture-specific food, arts & crafts, trips to museums, lectures, activities in conjunction with the Olympics, and this year the HBO series “Rome.” Bonnie feels that when you bring classical culture to life, it makes it more interesting and attractive to students in class as well as outside of the classroom.

Bonnie thoroughly enjoys actively engaging in music, sports, and teaching. When you meet Bonnie she has a great zest for life and all that it has to offer, and this is what makes her such an interesting person.